Jesuit gets its revenge on Robinson

The Jesuit football team stepped onto Jack Peters Field at Robinson on Friday with one goal in mind: to prove they are the team to beat in Class 5A-District 8.

After defeating the Knights, 21-7, the mission was accomplished.

Instead of relying on any fourth-quarter heroics like in last year's regular season one-point victory over Robinson, this time around, the Tigers (2-1, 2-0) did it with discipline, patience and confidence.

"We came together," said senior Bryce Walker, who finished with 106 all-purpose yards. "I could see it in everyone's eyes that we were ready. We weren't going to lose."

Senior quarterback Tommy Eveld picked apart Robinson's defense with 140 effective passing yards, completing 12 of 24 passes. Senior Kyle Statz finished with a team-high 47 receiving yards. Junior Travis Johnson had three catches for 37 yards and sealed the game with an interception late in the fourth-quarter.

"We saw [Robinson defenders] were double teaming Travis and vacated the middle of the field," Jesuit coach James Harrell said.

At halftime, the score was tied at 7.

In the second half, Jesuit's defense took over. The Tigers limited Robinson (2-1, 1-1) to seven total yards in the third quarter, while allowing the offense to take a 7-point lead on a rushing touchdown from freshman Keith Newman. Walker returned a punt for 55 yards as time expired to end of the third quarter, which set up a short and goal situation. Two plays later, Will Lucas plowed through for a 2-yard score to give Jesuit the two touchdown lead.

"We were in the same position last year, with it 7-7 at the half (in the 2A region final)," Harrell said. "I just said that if we stick to the game plan, don't do anything stupid and don't give up the big play, we'll be alright."

"We had to prove ourselves again," said Jesuit junior defensive lineman Cameron Ruff, who was responsible for two of Jesuit's four sacks. "We had to step up and get as many sacks as we could. We made sure we stayed in (the quarterback's) face all game."

Senior Byron Pringle led Robinson's offense with 59 receiving yards while junior quarterback Antonio Hampton, who had two receivers drop wide open passes that could have led to easy touchdowns, finished 6 of 10 for 63 yards with an interception. Freshman running back Michael Duclos scored Robinson's lone touchdown in the second quarter.

Robinson was forced to punt four times and fumbled on a punt return in the second quarter that led to a 2-yard touchdown run by Jesuit's Parker Clonts. The defense also allowed Jesuit to get 16 first downs.

"In all three phases (of the game), Robinson coach Mike DePue said, "we showed our youth."

 
R – M. Duclos 3 run (Thomas kick)

J – Clonts 2 run (Greene kick)

J – Newman 1 run (Greene kick)

J – Lucas 2 run (Greene kick)